Melbourne recruit Brodie Grundy will likely remain an outside chance to make his AFL return next week against North Melbourne after a difficult afternoon at VFL level for Casey.
Sunday's hitout against Williamstown was Grundy's second at the state league level and third successive week out of Melbourne's senior side, with senior coach Simon Goodwin deploying the former Collingwood best and fairest winner as a forward for Casey to help improve his side's efficiencies in the forward half of the field.
The Demons would record a heart-breaking one-point loss against the Seagulls at Casey Fields under windy conditions, with a strong breeze favouring one end of the ground for all four quarters.
Williamstown took back the lead through a Liam Conway set-shot late into the game, with the match-deciding major one of five goals kicked against the breeze for the day and just the Seagulls' third scoring shot in the final term.
Grundy was utilised as a forward target for a majority of the match before being thrown into the leading ruck role for a large portion of the second half.ย He would record no scoring shots from his 10 disposals, 31 hitouts, nine tackles and two marks.
While the Dees tall was a force in the middle of the field, his time forward of centre wasn't as impactful. He would pass off his best chance on goal during the third term - a set shot from approximately 35 metres out from goal.
It was a matter of seeing what we've come to expect from Grundy as a ruckman and less the big Demon showing glimpses or new traits as a forward.
With the Demons and Goodwin wanting to see Grundy develop as a forward, they might ready to leave their recruit in the VFL for another week due to his limited opportunity in the attacking half.
Ex-AFL level Seagull Tom Downie would contest with Grundy and first-year ruckman Will Verall throughout the game and would be a difference-maker for the away side for most of the match prior to Grundy's switch into the centre.
A highlight for Grundy came in the final term through a crucial mark and involvement in play that led to a score-levelling goal from George Grey, but as far as direct impact it was a tough afternoon for the two-time All-Australian.
On a difficult day for talls, Casey were required to constantly switch up their forward targets in the front third, with Grundy sharing the attacking 50 with Josh Schache, Ben Brown and Matt Jefferson.
Schache joined Verrall in being parked behind the ball at times during the match, while Grundy took on that role in the dying stages.
Brown was not sighted for long in the second half, with his evening ending early under unknown circumstances.
Former Demon Oscar McDonald stood tall in the conditions on Williamstown's last line and would feature among his side's best in the one-point win.
Casey would get a look at Melbourne father-son draft prospect Kynan Brown, the son of Nathan, in the game. The teenager booted a goal third quarter goal against the wind and would end the day with five touches and four tackles.
The Demons' VFL outfit are scheduled for a bye next week, meaning Grundy could see be left out of Goodwin's side for a further two weeks. Casey make their return on August 1 against Carlton's reserves.
Melbourne will head to Tasmania next Sunday for Round 21 of the AFL season.
